Gumbo at Goldman’s was never intended to be quite like this but given the project’s extenuating circumstances, it’s a good thing these homespun tracks surfaced at all. Falling somewhere between a spirited jam session and a field recording, fiddler D’Jalma Garnier, guitarists James Latiolais and Courtney Fuller were merely rehearsing at Thibodeaux’s home that afternoon in preparation for the Lawtell Playboys’ upcoming record, one that wouldn’t include ailing fiddler Calvin Carrière. From the sounds of it, a good time was had by all but sadly two weeks later Latiolais was tragically killed in an auto wreck en route to an out-of-state gig. Realizing it would never be the same, Thibodeaux honors his lifetime pal with this touching set of tunes.

While admittedly it’s not the most ideal recording, it’s an honest, folksy affair sequenced just the way it happened. Though there’s plenty of zesty kick with “Frilot Cove Two-Step” and “Therese Two-Step,” initially Thibodeaux’s accordion dominates over the innately quieter stringed instruments. Soon the muscadine wine and gumbo’s healing effects find the kindred spirits converging upon some common grooves. Garnier sings “Tes Parents” that’s followed by some fairly driving renditions of “Zydeco Blues” and “Sweet Potato Danse.” During a seemingly solid take of “La Danse de Limonade,” someone nails a wrong note and the whole thing falls apart in conversation and laughter. They kick it up again; Goldman whistles the melody for a bit and Garnier musters in some devilish bowing. In between songs, Latiolais sings the ancient folk song “La Cravatte” to his giggling grandson. The session’s high point arrives when Thibodeaux invents a tune (“Sweet Cherie”) on the spot that’s accompanied by the full band who were obviously on the same wavelength. Finally, Latiolais attempts the auctioneer-paced “La Cravatte” once more but this time the dog howls like all get out. At this point, it would have been a sin to change any of this.